Cantilever panel partition construction and bracket arm support assembly



Nov. 15, 1966 J. P. SCHOOLER 3,284,968

CANTILEVER PANEL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLY6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1964 INVENTOR P 6/" 390 3,9, 4'36JemmePJMaa/ ATTO EY INVENTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. P. SCHOOLER CANTILEVERPANEL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLYnip-1:11:22

Nov. 15, 1966 Filed April 28, 1964 l l l l I Nov. 15, 1966 J P. SCHOOLER3,284,968

CANTILEVER P ANEL PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORTASSEMBLY Filed April 28, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /26\ 2 /5 MK M 4 0 I 42922-4412- "F' Lily 5 74 ix-11in /30--', 26 /06 /32 F W 804 I: MM g=;-=0- gtzza Nov. 15, 1966 AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLY 6 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed April 28, 1964 b 0 V 0 a 1 7 2 w w a 5 W a 44 a 4 J v I E I m wb? V WHHLZ 1 6 \ED JIM]. b 0 2 0X 7 m a w F 1 m w 7 m m "w 2 2 @[k u r.2 6 A 9 /12 u 9/0 A w u u 5 3 2 n uu IL Mm m m 3 V a 3 WU 2 J4 w u I) D!X 3 3 x 2 w I x 2 8 n n l I m x 2 I OJ 3 X Z 2 m Z X M u F a u w a m m un w Z & D.1|J u n Je/M/zFJcfiM/er 1 y 1% BY Unite States PatentOfitice3,284,968 Patented Nov. 15, 19%6 3,284 968 CANTILEVER PANEL PARTITIONCONSTRUC- TION AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORT ASSEM- 34 Claims. (CI. 52-73)This invention relates to cantilever partitions for toilet compartmentsor other like installations, and more particularly to a partition andbracket support assembly wherein the partition is made up of pre-formedpanels of wood or ply-wood provided on their exterior surface with anornamental and wear resisting coating.

Heretofore in toilet compartments or like installations, the partitionshave been made of sheet metal panels usually embodying spaced sheetmetal pans of rectangular formation interconnected together at theiredges by a variety of edging constructions and supported in a variety ofways from the wall, ceiling and floor. These, due to their all metallicconstruction, have been expensive, of great weight and oftentimesunsightly by virtue of the exposed fasteners necessitated in theirconstruction. Further, due to their metallic construction, the panelshave achieved a most monotonous sameness in appearance affording no meanfor aesthetic improvement.

It is accordingly one principal object of this invention to provide apanel construction that is made of wood or ply-wood body, the exteriorsurface of which has bonded or otherwise secured thereto an ornamental,wear resisting coating of a variety of materials such as plastics,ceramics, metal, plain or embossed, wood veneer, tile of any suitablematerial; and in fact any type of material metallic or non-metallic orany combination thereof.

It is another object of this invention to interconnect two such panelsto provide a single partition with no visible fastening means.

A further object of this invention relates to a bracket arm supportprojecting from a wall on which a single partition is mounted andsecured thereto such that the partition will be wholly supported incantilever fashion thereby and with no support or connection to theceiling or floor.

A still further object of this invention relates to a panel and bracketarm support construction designed to permit individual assembly on thejob of each panel on the bracket arm support to form a single cantileverpartition, wholly concealing the bracket arm support and secured theretowith no visible fastening means.

Another object of this invention relates to a panel and bracket armsupport construction wherein the panels are preassem'bled to form a unithandled partition and slid as a unit onto the bracket arm support,wholly concealing the same and secured thereto with no Visible fasteningmeans.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a pair ofcantilever bracket arms so designed as to provide for assembly andattachment thereto and to each other of a pair of opposed panels to forma single partition, as well as to mount and have secured thereto a unithandled partition made up of two connected panels; the securement of thepanels to the bracket arms in each instance being such as to be whollyconcealed and contained within the partition.

A still further object of this invention is to provide: (1) a partitionof uniform thickness wherein the opposed panel whether individuallyassembled on the job on the bracket arms or pro-assembled and connectedto provide a unit handled partition to be mounted on the bracket armsare in parallel spaced relation; as well as (2) to provide awedge-shaped partition wherein the opposed panels are inclined towardseach other from rear to front and present the same finished appearancewhether individually assembled on the job on the bracket arms orpreassembled and connected to provide a unit handled partition to bemounted on the bracket arms.

Another object of this invention relates to the provision of lateralbracing structure disposed between the panels of the partition whetherflat, i.e., parallel to each other, or wedge-shaped.

Yet another object of this invention relates to a stile constructionwith support arms for securing the same to the panels and/or bracketarms interiorly of the partition and including a fastener constructioninterconnecting the center portion of the stile to the panels interiorlyof the partition.

An additional object of this invention relates to an edge fillerconstruction for concealing the panel connecting structure and attachingmembers of the stile to the partition, and the individual panels and/ orpartition unit to the bracket arms.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sealing and/or closurestructure for the rear end of the partition permitting individual on thejob assembly of the panels on the bracket arms or which may form anintegral part of a unit-handled partition.

Still another object of this invention is the utilization of an adhesiveto secure the panels and/or partition to a wall when mounted in positionon the bracket arms, as well as to secure the panel and partition partsto each other.

A still further object of this invention relates to novel angle barbracket supports and channel bracket supports which connect togetheropposed panels making up a cantilever partition and which further mountthe panels and/ or partition on the bracket arms.

From the above stated objects of this invention it will be seen that itis the essential purpose of this invention to provide a cantileverpartition formed of wood panels that are exteriorly covered with acoating of a variety of materials, that is of great strength and ofsimple and inexpensive construction, that is easily installed andsecured in place, in which there are no visible fastening means and oflasting ornamental beauty.

The invention will be more fully understood, and other objects andadvantages thereof will become apparent, from a consideration of thedetailed description as appearing hereinafter, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one cantilever partition with stile of atoilet compartment.

FIG, 2 is a vertical side view partly in section of the partion taken online 2-2, FIG. 1. I

FIG. 2A is a detail sectional view taken on line 2A 2A, FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stile.

FIG. 3A is a detail view of one form of seal employed with a partitionside panel of the cantilever partition of FIG. 1.

FIG 3B i a partial plan view showing a metal closure and seal for thetwo side panels of the cantilever partition of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view partly in section of the cantilever partitiontaken on line 44, FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 66, FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a partial front elevational view of the cantilever partitiontaken on line 99, FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a detail elevational view similar to FIG. 7 showing a modifiedform of construction.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are detail sectional views sirniliar to that of FIG. 6,showing modified form of construction.

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevational view partly in section of amodified form of cantilever partition construction.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view with parts broken away of a wedge-shapedcantilever partition with stile.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the cantilever partition of FIG.12, taken on line 13-13.

FIG. 13A is a detail sectional view taken on line 13A- 13A, FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 14-14, FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on line 1515, FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view similar to that of FIG. 13 showinga modified form of wedge-shaped cantilever partition.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the top of the partition of FIG. 16 with partsbroken away to show details of construction.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of the rear side of the partition of FIG.16, as viewed on line 1818, FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 19- 19, FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the top connecting plate for theside panels of the partition of FIG. 16, showing guide members.

FIG. 21 is a detail sectional view similiar to that of FIG. 19 showing amodified form of construction.

FIG. 22 is a detail sectional view showing a modified construction formounting a stile.

In the copending application of Nathan Schooler for a Combined FloorSupported and Wall Contained Pedestal Structure and Cantilever PartitionAssembly, filed February 25, 1964, Serial No. 350,629, there isdisclosedupper and lower bracket arms connected to a pedestal structure within awall and projecting from. the wall to support a metal cantileverpartition that is either of uniform thickness having parallel sides orwedge shaped having sides inclined forwardly toward the front thereof.The cantilever panel structure of this invention is supported on andsecured to a bracket arm construction such as shown and described insaid copending application.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1, a cantilever partition 10 withattached stile 12 is supported on wall 14 with its lower horizontal edgespaced from floor 16. The partition 10 forms one wall of a toiletcompartment 18 (only partly shown) provided with a door 20 hingedlymounted on stile 12.

The partition 10 is formed of two parallel side panels 22, 24 ofrectangular shape, interconnected and supported in a manner to behereinafter described. In the preferred embodiment, each panel is formedof wood or plywood provided on its exterior face with a Formica coatingbonded thereto, though it is to be understood that any desiredornamental coating may be applied in any desired manner to the exteriorface of the panel such as stainless steel or other sheet metal (coatedor otherwise), plastic, fabric, leather, ceramic or any other suitablematerial or combination thereof. The stile 12 is also formed of wood orplywood and in this case all the exposed visible surface is similarlyprovided with a Formica or other coating 25, see FIG. 4.

The panels 22, 24 by virtue of their manufacture, size and dimensionsmay either be individually mounted on the upper and lower projectingbracket arms 26, 28 to form the partition 10.; or may be securedtogether in spaced parallel relation to provide a pre-formed partitionto be mounted as a unit on said bracket arms 26, 28, all in a manner aswill be hereinafter described.

Thus, for individual panel assembly on the bracket arms 26, 28, eachpanel 22, 24 has secured to the inner side thereof upper and lower anglebracket supports 30, 32, respectively equally positioned inwardly fromthe upper and lower edges of the panel. The vertical legs 34 of theangle bracket supports 30, 32 extend towards each other and are seatedin complementary formed grooves 36 formed in the panels such as to lieflush with the inside surface thereof, see FIGS. 5 and 6, and aresecured thereto by screws 38. The horizontal legs of the angle bracketsupports 30, 32 are provided with longitudinally spaced struck-outportions to form lugs 40 and recesses 42, see FIG. 4. The angle bracketsupports 30, 32 extend substantially the full width of the panel and areso positioned that when the panels are placed each on one side of thebracket arms 26, 28, the lugs 40 of one angle support bracket willextend into the recess 42 of the other opposed angle support bracket,see FIG. 4, with the lugs 40 of the upper and lower angle supportbrackets 30, 32 respectively seating on the horizontal edge 26a of theupper bracket arm 26 and on the horizontal edge 28a of the lower bracketarm 28. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the opposed pairs of angle supportbrackets 30, 32 at their forward ends extend beyond the verticalterminal ends 26b, 28b of the bracket arms 26, 28 and are mitered toengage the mitered ends of vertical bracket connectors 46. 48.

The side leg 46a of bracket connector 46 is seated within a complementalrecess 50 provided in the inner side of panel 24, see FIG. 2A, adjacentthe front edge thereof and secured in place by screws 52. The front leg46b is of a length greater than the thickness of the bracket arm 26, andthe terminal end thereof is adapted to seat in a recess 54 formed in thefront edge of opposed panel 22. The lower bracket connector 48 issimilarly formed and attached to the inner side of panel 24. Provided infront leg 46b as also in the front leg 48b is a bolt receiving opening56 adapted to receive a bolt 58 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

Formed in each of the inner sides of the panels 22, 24 are likehorizontal dove-tailed grooves 62, 64 that extend from the front edge ofeach panel and terminate short of the rear edge thereof, see FIG. 2 andFIG. 7. Arranged above and below the dove-tail groove 64 on the innerside of panel 24 are wood blocks 68, 70 rigidly secured thereto by anepoxy or other suitable adhesive as well as by screws 72, see FIG. 7.The wood blocks 68, 70 are of a thickness equal to the thickness ofbracket arms 26, 28 with their forward edges lying flush with theforward edge of panel 24. Each wood block is provided with a dowelopening 74.

Prior to assembly of the panels 22, 24 on the bracket arms 26, 28 thereis adhesively or otherwise secured to the inner side of panel 24adjacent the rear edge thereof a wood closure strip 76, see FIG. 2, thatis fiush with said rear edge and of a length to bridge the distancebetween the upper and lower bracket arms 26, 28. Instead of beingsecured to the panel 24, the closure strip 76 may be adhesively orotherwise secured in place direct to the wall 14 between bracket arms26, 28.

The panel 24 is first placed in position on the bracket arms 26, 28,with the lugs 40 of the angle bracket supports, 30, 32, respectivelyengaging the horizontal edges 26a, 28a of said bracket arms, with theinner side of the panel engaging the opposed side of the bracket armsand with the rear edge of the panel abutting the wall 14. At leastalternate lugs 40 of angle bracket support 30 are to be secured to thehorizontal edges 26a, 28a by screws 80 which extend through elongatedopenings 80a therein. If desired, the rear edge of panel 24 may besecured to the wall 14 by an epoxy or other suitable adhesive. Prior tofinal attachment of the lugs 40 by screws 80, the panel 24 is held incontact with the wall 14 by bolts 58 which extend through openings 56 inbracket connectors 46, 48 into threaded openings 82 provided in theterminal ends of the bracket arms 26, 28; the bolts 58 further holdingthe panel 24 in place for placement of the screws 80. With the panel 24thus mounted and secured in place on the bracket arms 26, 28, theopposite panel 22 is similarly placed in position. It is to be notedthat the lugs 40 of the angle bracket supports 30 fixed to panel 22 willbe positioned in the recesses 42 provided by the spaced lugs 40 of theopposite already secured in place angle bracket support 30, and that thelugs 40 of the latter angle bracket support will extend into therecesses 42 provided by the spaced lugs of the angle bracket supportsecured to panel 22 which spaced lugs are similarly to be secured to thehorizontal edges 26a, 28a of the bracket arms by screws 80 extendingthrough like elongated openings 80a. As with the panel 24, the rear edgeof panel 22 may be adhesively secured to the wall 14.

With the panel 22 so placed in position, the terminal end of each frontleg 46b, 48b of bracket connectors 46, 48 will seat in its respectiverecess 54 provided in the front edge of panel 22, and is secured to thepanel by the screw 90, see FIG. 2A. With the rear edges of both panelscoated with an epoxy or other adhesive, setting up of the bolts 58 willhold the panels tight against the wall while the adhesive sets. Finalattachment of the partition is then effected by screwing down tight thescrews 80. Preferably, the exposed sides of the wood blocks 68, 70 aresecured to the inner side of panel 22 by an epoxy or other suitableadhesive as at 84, see FIG. 7.

In order to brace as well as to connect the center portions of thepanels 22, 24 between the bracket arms 26, 28 to each other, bracingblocks 86 of wood formed with a dove-tail tongue 88 at each end thereoffor respective mating engagement with the dove-tail grooves 62, 64 inthe inner sides of panels 22, 24, see FIG. 7, are slid into positon fromthe front end of the panels in spaced relation to each other, as shownin FIG. 2, and secured in place by an epoxy or other suitable adhesive.It is to be noted that the length of the bracing blocks 86 (excludingdove-tail tongues 88) corresponds to the thickness of the bracket arms26, 28 so that in the final assembly of the panels 22, 24 thereon, thepanels 22, 24 will be held in firm parallel relation to each other.

Next applied to the assembled cantilever partition 10 is the stile 12.The stile 12 is of wood or ply-wood, of narrow rectangular form and of alength corresponding to the height of the partition 10. As with thepanels 22, 24 the exposed surfaces of the stile 12 are provided wth aFormica coating 25, see FIG. 4. A stile support arm 94, 96 is providedadjacent the top and bottom of the stile 12 projecting therefrom normalto the inside face 12a of the stile, see FIG. 3. Each of the supportarms has a vertical leg 94a, 96a, respectively, which seats within acomplemental recess 98 so as to lie flush with the inside face 12a ofthe stile 12 and is secured in place by screws 100. Adjacent to eachrecess 98 is a screw head receiving recess 104 of any desired shape. Atthe central portion of the stile 12 are a pair of vertically spaceddowels 106 projecting outwardly from and normal to the inside face 12a.The support arms 94, 96, recesses 104 and dowels 106 all lie in avertical medial plane normal to the stile 12. The width of each stilesupport arm 94, 96 is equal to the thickness of the bracket arms 26, 28and are adapted to seat respectively on the forward lugs 40 of the upperand lower angle support brackets 30, 32. Thus, when the stile 12 ismounted on the forward end of the partition 10, the dowels 106 willenter the dowel receiving openings 74- in blocks 68, 70 and the supportarms 94, 96 will snugly seat in the manner described above on theforward lugs 40 between the panels 22, 24, see FIG. 2, with the heads ofbolts 58 received in recesses 104. Screws 108 that extend through arecess 42, see FIG. 4, secure the support arms 94, 96

6 to the bracket arms 26, 28, and the inside faec 12a of the stile issecured to the abutting front ends of the panels 22, 24 by an epoxy orother adhesive, as well as to the front face of the wood blocks 68, 70.Similarly the dowels 106 are adhesively secured within the openings 74to the wood blocks 68, 70. The dowels 106 serve to anchor the verticalcentral portion of the stile 12 in place to insure a rigid connection aswell as a complete engagement of the stile with the front end ofpartition 10 from top to bottom.

In some cases it may be desirable to employ only a single dowel tosecure the mid portion of the stile, in which event the forward bracingblock 86a, see FIG. 8, is made of increased height and is provided witha dowel receiving opening 74a, to receive the single dowel 106a carriedby stile 12.

Snugly fitted between the panels 22, 24 at the top and bottom edges ofthe partition 10 are edging filler strips 112, see FIGS. 5, 6. Thefiller strips 112 are rectangular in cross section, the vertical sidesthereof each engaging an inner side of a panel, with the inner sideseated on the lugs 40 and the outer side 114 lying flush with thehorizontal edges of the panels, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The edgingfiller strips 112 are secured in place by an epoxy or other adhesiveapplied to the concealed sides thereof, and are provided on their lowerside with a groove 116 to accommodate the heads of screws 81), and arefurther recessed at their front ends to fit over the stile support arms94.

It is apparent from the above description that the assembly of theFormica covered panels 24, 25 with Formica covered stile 12 on thebracket arms 26, 28 will provide a cantilever partition of greatstrength and rigidity without any visible fastening means; and furtherin view of the attractive appearance of the Formica coating, thepartition will have exceptional beauty and appeal. The door 20 which isalso Formica coated may be hung on the stile 12 by a concealed gravityand companion hinge assembly (not shown) as described and illustrated inmy Patent No. 3,210,799 dated October 12, 1965, to thereby provide atoilet compartment having no visible hardware or fastening elements.

In the event it is not desired to adhesively secure the rear edges ofthe panels 22, 24 to the wall 14, sealing structure may be provided toprevent the entry of dirt, water and other matter into the interior ofthe partition 10. Thus, in FIG. 3A, the rear edge of the panel 24a isformed with a vertical groove 120 of any desired shape in which isseated a suitable flexible and deformable sealing element 122 that iscompressed to effect a positive seal when the rear edge of the panelcontacts wall 14. It is to be understood that the other opposed panel ofthe partition is similarly provided with a groove 120 and sealingelement 122.

In FIG. 3B, a channel shaped metal closure seal 124 is provided havingflanged sides 126 which fit into grooves 128 formed in the rear edges ofthe panels 22b, 24b. The closure seal 124 extends the full height of thepartition 10 with the back 130 thereof in direct contact with the wall14. Slotted openings 132 which extend inwardly from the top and bottomedges of the closure seal are provided to allow the bracket arms 26, 28to extend therethrough. The surface of the rear edge of each panelinwardly of its groove 128 is slightly inset as at 134 to accommodatethe thickness of the back .130 is the closure seal 124 so as to precludeany gap between the rear edge of the panels and the wall 14.

FIG. 9 illustrates .a modified construction of angle bracket supportsfor the partition panels 220 240, wherein conventional angle bars areemployed. Thus, the angle 'bars 140, a both at the top and bottom of thepanels, have their vertical legs 142 each positioned within a groove 144formed within the inner side of each of the opposed panels and with thegroove in panel 22c vertically offset with relation to the other, thevertical legs being secured in place by screws 146. The horizontal leg148 of angle bar 140 overlaps the horizontal leg 148a of the opposedangle bar 140a which latter seats on the horizontal edge of anassociate-d bracket arm (the upper bracket arm 26 being illustrated).Longitudinally spaced screws 150 extend through elongated openings(similar to 80a) in the horizontal legs 148, 148a to secure the same tothe bracket anrns. To conceal the angle bracket supports 140, 140a, anedging filler strip 112a is positioned and secured in place bet-ween thepanels similar to edging filler strip 112. In all other respects, thepartition a is similar in construction to the partition 10, FIG. 2.

The partition 10 may also be pre-assembled and mounted as a unit on thebracket arms 26, 28. In this case, in lieu of the angle support brackets30, 32, the panels 22d, 24d of partition 1%, see FIG. 10, areinterconnected along their upper and lower edge portions by a channelbracket support 150 (only the upper channel support being shown). Thechannel bracket support 150 has its flanges 152 directed outwardly andsecured by screws 154 to the inner opposed sides of the panels torigidly connect the same in spaced relation, the width of the channelbracket support being equal to the thickness of the bracket arm 26. Inall other respects the preassembled partition 10b is structurallysimilar to the partition 10, FIG. 2, except that it is mounted as a uniton the bracket arms 26, 28 by sliding the same thereon towards Wall 14,the web 156 of each channel bracket support engaging the horizontal edgeof an associated bracket arm. The panel 10b is secured in position onthe bracket arms 26, 28 by longitudinally spaced screws 158 extendingthrough elongated openings in the webs 156 of the channel bracketsupports for threaded engagement Within threaded openings in saidbracket arms. The stile 12 is then mounted in position on the partition10b in the same manner as described above. An edging filler strip M212is then applied to the upper and lower open edges of the partition 10bto conceal the channel bracket supports as well as to finish said edges.In the form shown in FIG. 10, the side edges of the filler strip 112]:are beveled as at 160 to mate with complemental beveled edges 162 ofpanels 22d, 24d and the lower side and bottom portion of the fillerstrip 112b are groo'ved and recessed as at 164, 166 to accommodate theheads of screws 158, 154. The filler strip 1121) is secured in place byan epoxy or other suitable adhesive.

FIG. 11 illustrates a pre-assembled partition unit 100 embodying Formicacoated panels 22c, 24:: connected together by upper and lower channelbracket supports 150 (as in FIG. 10) which at their forward ends havemitered engagement with the mitered ends of a vertical channel bracketsupport 170 secured to the inside [front edge portions of opposed panels22e, 24a. Fitted within each Of the upper and lower corners defined bythe channel bracket supports 158, 170 is a corner wood brace block 172secured adhesively and by screws 174 to the inner side of panel 24:2.The corner brace blocks 172 are also adhesively secured to the innerside of panel 22a. Screws 176 also secure adjacent ends of channelsupport bracket 1'50, 170 to corner brace block 172 thus making for acorner construction of great strength. At the front vertical centerportion of the panel 100 there is provided a dowel block construction178 similar to 68, 70 of FIG. 2 or 86a of FIG. 8 for the connectingdowels or dowel 106 or 106a of stile 12. In this embodiment a front edgefiller strip 180 is positioned in the channel bracket support 170 andsecured in place adhesively and by screws 182, each end of the fillerstrip 180 terminating short of the corresponding end of the verticalchannel bracket support 170 to provide a recess 183 for a purpose to behereinafter described. Each corner brace block 172 is provided with ahorizontal bore 184 coaxial with an opening 185 provided in Web ofchannel bracket support 170. The partition 100, in all other respects,is constructionally similar to the partition of 'FIG. 2. The partition10c thus provides a unit handled construction adaptable tfor applicationand mounting on bracket arms that extend only partly into the partitionand of shorter length than those shown in FIG. 2, and as illustrated byupper bracket arm 26d. Each short bracket arm is provided with athreaded bore 188 having its outer end flared as at 190. With thepartition 10c slid as a unit onto the bracket arms, in the manner ashereinabove described with reference to partition 1%, a rod 194 having athreaded end portion 196 and a bolt head 198 at its other end is passedthrough the bore 184 in each corner brace block 172 with its threadedend 196 threadedlyengaging within threaded bore 188 in its associatedbracket arm and its bolt head 198 seated in recess 183. The threadedrods 194 thus pull the partition 10!: tight up against wall 14 and willthereby hold the partition 10c securely on its supporting bracket armsas will be readily apparent. If desired a screw 200 at the rear end ofthe top and bottom channel bracket supports 150 is provided to securethe same to its associated bracket arm.

So mounted and secured to the bracket arms, the partition then hasattached thereto the stile 12a in the manner as hereinabove described,the stile support arm 94 (only the upper being shown) seating on web ofchannel bracket support and secured thereto and to the corner braceblock by a screw 202; the dowel 106 being also secured in dowel block178. To finish the partition 100, an edging filler strip 1120 is appliedto each of the upper and lower open edges of the partition 10c in themanner as hereinabove described.

In FIGS. 12 to 15, inclusive, there is illustrated one embodiment of acantilever wedge-shaped partition of the general external form as shownin the patent to Nathan Schooler, No. 2,865,476 granted December 23,1958, utilizing upper and lower cantilever bracket arms connected to apedestal structure as illustrated and describe-d in the above referredto copending application of Nathan Schooler, Serial No. 350,629, filedFebruary 25, 1964.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the wall 220 and floor 222 contains the abovereferred to pedestal structure (not shown) which carries, as shown inFIG. 13, upper and lower projecting cantilever bracket arms 226 and 228.Each bracket arm comprises a vertical plate member 230 having ahorizontal edge portion 232, normal to the wall, on which issymmetrically positioned and rigidly secured as by welding awedge-shaped support plate 234. The vertical plate member 230 of eachbracket arm tapers towards its forward terminal end 236, with theinclined edge 238 of one in opposed relation to the inclined edge 238 ofthe other. The forward end 240 of the support plate is inwardly of theend 236 of the vertical plate to provide a seat 242 for a stile supportarm as will be hereinafter described.

The cantilever wedge shaped partition 250 comprises two For-mica coatedpanels 252, 254 similar to panels 22, 24 of FIG. 1 and are assembled onthe job to form the partition. Thus, each panel has secured to the innerside thereof upper and lower angle bracket supports 256, 258. Thevertical leg 260, see FIG. 13A of each angle bracket support is directedrespectively to an adjacent horizontal upper and lower edge of thepanel, and is secured thereto by spaced screws 262 such that thehorizontal legs 264 thereof are opposed to each other, parallel andspaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the horizontaledges 232 of the bracket arms for seating engagement thereon as will behereinafter described.

A wood or ply-wood vertical support 268 is secured by screws 270 to thecenter portion of the inner face of panel v254, the vertical support 268being provided with a horizontal dovetail groove 272, see FIG. 15. A

Wedge-shaped lateral brace 274 of wood or ply-wood is provided along aportion of one side edge thereof with a dove-tail tongue 276 thatextends from the wide rear end 275 to a shoulder or stop 278. Theforward end 300 of the lateral brace 274 terminates in the plane of thefront vertical edges of the panels 252, 254, and the lateral brace 274is of a wedge-shaped corresponding to the bracket arm support plate 234.The lateral brace 274 when attached to the vertical support 268 issecured thereto and at its forward portion to the inner side of panel254 by an epoxy or other suitable adhesive. The opposite side edge ofthe lateral brace 274 is provided with a mortise 304 intermediate theends thereof. Provided in the forward end of the lateral brace 274 is adowel receiving opening 306. Appropriately positioned and secured by adove-tail groove 308 and tongue 310 connection to the inner side of theopposite panel 252 is a tenon 312 of a length somewhat less than thelength of the mortise 304. The dovetail groove 308 extends inwardly fromthe front edge of the panel 252 so as to permit attachment of the tenon312 to the panel.

A wall engaging closure board of wood or ply-wood 316 having a flange318 along its outer vertical edge is secured both by an adhesive and byscrews 320 to the inner side of the panel 254 so that the rear side ofthe closure board will be flush with the rear edge of the panel, seeFIG. 14. A similar closure board 316a is provided for the other panel252 but is not secured thereto, the closure board 3 16a having in theflange 318a thereof vertically space-d dowel-receiving openings 322.

The closure boards 31'6, 316a are of a length corresponding to thevertical distance between the support plates 234 of the bracket arms.Positioned on the inner side of panel 252 adjacent its rear edge arecorrespondingly vertically spaced dowels 324.

In the vertical plate 230 of each bracket arm is an opening 328 forreceiving therethrough a bar 330 having at each end a threaded hole inwhich is threadedly engaged a set screw 332 provided with a lock nut334.

In the assembly of the panels 252, 254 on the bracket arms, the panel254 is first positioned thereon with the horizonal legs 264 of upper andlower angle bracket supports 256, 258 seated respectively on the upperand lower bracket support plates 234 and with its attached closure board316 abutting the wall 220. It will be noted that the lateral brace' 274carried by panel 254 is horizontally centrally positioned between thebracket arms, see FIG. 13, and that the closure board 316 will fitbetween the support plates 234 of the bracket arms and abut the wall220. Screws 338 secure the horizontal lelgs 264 of the angle supportbrackets 256, 258 to the support plates 234 and thus serve to rigidlyconnect the panel 254 to the bracket arms.

Prior to installation of the panel 254, the rear side of closure board316 may be coated with an epoxy or other adhesive for securing the sameto the wall 220. Whether or not an adhesive is employed the set screws332, after the panel 254 is placed in position, may be adjusted to clampthe closure board 316 to the wall 220 to insure a tight engagementtherewith as will be apparent. A thrust plate 336 may be positionedbetween the set screw 332 and the closure board 316, and the set screwis locked in position by the lock nut 334. The other closure board 316ais then placed in position, and clamped into tight engagement with thewall 220 by the set screws 33-2. The closure board 316a may or may notbe adhesively secured to the wall 220, as indicated above with referenceto closure board 316.

With the panel 254 thus secured in place, the opposed. panel 252 is thensimilarly mounted on the bracket arms by the seating engagement of theupper and lower horizontal legs 264 respectively on the upper and lowersupport plates 234, with the simultaneous insertion of dowels 324 intodowel openings 322 and the tenon 312 into mortise 304 in lateral brace274, the parts of said joints being secured together by an epoxy orother adhesive in the manner Well known. Also the abutting surfacesbetween the inner side of panel 252 and the closure board 316a andlateral brace 274 are similarly adhesively secured. Screws 338a securelyconnect the upper and lower horizontal legs 264 of angle supportbrackets 256, 258, respectively to the support plates 234 of the bracketarms.

A stile 340 whose exterior surfaces are Formica coated (similarly tostile 12) is provided with upper and lower support arms 342, 344 and acenter dowel 346. The stile 340 in its attachment to the panels 252, 254has its support arms 342, 344 respectively seated on the ledges 242 ofthe bracket arms, see FIG. 13, and secured thereto by screws 350; thedowel 346 being adhesively secured in dowel opening 306. The front edgesof the panels 252, 254 may be secured to the rear side of stile 340 byan epoxy or other adhesive. If desired the open front end of theconnected panels 252, 254 between lateral brace 274 and the bracket armsmay be adhesively joined by upper and lower vertical closure strips 352,356, the outer surface of which lie flush with the front ends of thepanels and which may also be adhesively secured to the abutting rearside of the stile 340.

With the stile 340 secured in place, the open top and bottom sides ofthe wedge-shaped partition are closed by Wedge-shaped filler strips 358,360 that are secured to the bracket arm support plates 234 by screws362. At the narrow forward end of each filler strip 358, 360, a screw364 extends through an opening 366 in the adjacent stile support arm inthreaded engagement with an aligned threaded opening 368 in the endportion of the adjacent bracket arm, see FIG. 13. If desired, the sideedges of the filler strips may be adhesively secured to the inner sideedge portions of the panels 252, 254.

The on-the-job assembly of the Formica covered panels 252, 254 withFormica covered stile 340 on the bracket arms 226, 228 will provide acantilever partition of great strength and rigidity without any visiblefastening means; and further in view of the attractive appearance of theFormica coating, the partition will have exceptional beauty and appeal.

In FIGS. 16 to 19 inclusive there is illustrated a preassembledcantilever wedge-shaped partition unit 380 that is formed of Formicacoated panels 382, 384. The partition unit 380 is designed for mountingon bracket arms 386, 388 that extend only part way into the partition,and similar to the bracket arms 26d employed in the embodiment of FIG.11, though it is equally as well applicable to the bracket arms 26, 28of FIG. 2. It is to be noted that the bracket arms 386, 388 do notinclude the wedge-shaped support plates 234 of FIGS. 12, 13.

In this embodiment, FIGS. 16 to 19, the panels 382, 384 are connected inopposed inclined relation to provide the wedge-shape by upper and lowerparallel wedgeshaped channel bracket supports 390, 392, the side flanges394 of which are directed. respectively to the upper and lower edges ofthe panels, see FIGS 18, 19, and secured thereto by screws 396. Thechannel bracket support 392 is formed of heavy gauge sheet metal and thechannel webs 398 are spaced apart a distance equal to the distancebetween the horizontal edges of the bracket arms. Provided on the innerside of each channel web 398 are a pair of parallel angle bars 400,spaced apart a distance equal to the thickness of the bracket arms, andserving as a guide for positioning the partition 380 on the bracket armsand for preventing lateral movement thereof. The channel bracketsupports 3-90, 392 preferably extend the full length of the panels fromfront to rear edge thereof.

Provided interiorly at the front end of the partition 380 is a verticalwood filler strip 402 that is secured to the inner sides of the panels382, 384 by an epoxy or other adhesive and in addition, if desired, byfastener elements such as screws (not shown), the front face 404 of thefiller strip lying flush with the forward edges of the panels, see FIG.17. The upper and lower ends of the vertical filler strip 402 are eachengaged by the terminal forward end of an adjacent web 398 of achannelbracket .support which is secured thereto by a screw 406. Thevertical filler strip is provided adjacent each end with a horizontalbore 408 having an enlarged recess 410 at its outer end for a purpose tobe hereinafter described. Also provided in the filler strip 402 arevertically spaced dowel receiving openings 412, at least one lying inthe vertical center of the filler strip.

The rear open end of the partition is provided with a rear closure strip414 suitably secured to the inner side rear edge portion of the panelsand with its rear side lying flush with the rear vertical edges of thepanel for abutting engagement with wall 220. Olt-out port1ons or slots416 are provided in the rear closure strip 414 to accommodate thebracket arms 386, 388, see FIG. 18. The panels 382, 384 are interiorlybraced against lateral deflection by upper and lower horizontalwedge-shaped braces 418, 420, and an intermediate vertical brace 422,all of which are rigidly secured to each other and to the inner sides ofthe panels in any suitable manner as by an adhesive and fastenerelements in the manner Well known.

Provided in each of the open top and bottom edges of the partition 380are edging filler strips 426, 428, secured in place by screws 430, seeFIG. 19, which threadedly extend through the channel bracket web andguide angle bars 400. The side edges of the filler strips 426, 428 aregrooved as at 432 to accommodate the heads of screws 396. If desired,the edging filler strips may be additionally secured by an epoxy orother suitable adhesive both to the inner side edge portions of thepanels and to the channel bracket web 398.

Thus constructed, the cantilever wedge-shaped partition 380 is mountedas a unit on the bracket arms 386, 388 by sliding the same thereon, thehorizontal edge portions of the bracket arms being received Within theguide angle bars 400 whereby the partition is properly positioned. A rod436 similar to rod 194, FIG. 11, having a threaded end 438 and a bolthead 440 is inserted through each bore 408 in the vertical filler strip402 with its threaded end extending into a threaded opening 442 providedin the end of each associated bracket arm and having a flared entrance444, the head 440 of the rod being seated in recess 410. By setting upon the rods 436, the rear edges of the panels and the rear side ofclosure strip 414 will tightly engage the surface of wall 220. Ifdesired, the rear edges of the panels and the rear side of the closurestrip may be secured to the wall by an epoxy or other suitable adhesive.

A Formica coated stile 450 is provided with vertically spaced dowels452. At each end of stile 450 is a stile support arm 454 that seatswithin a complemental recess provided therefor in the outer side of eachfiller strip 426, see FIG. 16, and is secured thereto by a screw 456which further functions to secure the front end of the associated fillerstrip in position. The dowels 452 each fit within a corresponding dowelopening 412, and the stile 450 with the dowels 452 are respectivelysecured to the front edges of the panels, to the front face 404 ofvertical filler strip 402, and to the dowel openings 412 by an epoxy orother suitable adhesive. The described attachment of stile 450 to thepartition unit 380 is of great strength and rigidity. If desired, ascrew 458 extending through the rear end of each filler strip 426, 428and through the web 398 of each channel bracket support 390, 392 intothreaded engagement with a threaded opening 460 in the associatedbracket arm functions additionally to secure the partition unit to thebracket arms.

In lieu of the Wood edging filler strips 426, 428 employed in thepartition unit 380, there may be utilized a sheet metal closure plate470, as shown in FIG. 21. The closure plate 470 is of wedge-shape andcomplemental to the dimensions of the space defined by the opposedpanels 382, 384 from front to rear, and is provided along eachlongitudinal edge thereof with a flanged bead 472 adopted to seat,respectively, on the upper edges of the flanges 394 of the channelbracket supports 3'90, 392 (only 390 being shown). The closure plate 470is preferably transversely bowed as shown by the dotted line 474, and isprovided with longitudinally spaced screw receiver openings 476. Aspacer sleeve 478 is arranged in axial registry with all or selectedones of the openings 476, and a screw 480 extends through each opening476 and spacer sleeve 478 for threaded engagement with a correspondingthreaded opening 482 in the bracket arm. Setting up on the screws 480will deflect the closure plate 470 into flat position to cause theflanged beads 472 to tightly grip the inner sides of the panels. Ifdesired, the spacer sleeves may be welded or otherwise secured to theinner side of the closure plate or to the web of the channel bracketsupport.

FIG. 22 illustrates a modified construction for mounting the stilesupport arms of a stile 490 on a partition unit such as 380 embodyingthe metal closure plate 470 and showing only the upper end of the stile,it being under stood that the lower end of the stile has the sameconstruction. Thus, the stile 490 has secured to the inner side thereof'by screws 492, the vertical leg 494 of a stile support arm 496. Thevertical filler strip 402a is provided on its front face at its upperend with a vertical recess 498 to receive the vertical leg 494.Positioned on the top end of the filler strip 402a is an anchor member500 of inverted U-shape, the front leg 502 with bight portion 504 beingrespectively seated within complemental recesses 506, 508 formed in thetop and front of the filler strip. The opposed rear leg 510 engages theinner rear side of the filler strip. Screws 512 and 514 secure theanchor member 500 to the filler strip. Formed in the bight portion 504are spaced threaded openings 516. Similar spaced screw receivingopenings 518 are provided in the stile support arm 496. Correspondingopenings 519 are pro vided in the web 398 of the channel support bracket390. At the foremost end portion of the stile support arm adjaoent theinner face of stile 490 there is provided a threaded opening 520.

Thus, in attaching the stile 490 to the front end of the partition unit380, the stile support arm 496 will seat on the front end of web 398 ofthe channel support bracket 390 with its openings 518 in registry withweb openings 519 and threaded openings 516 in the anchor member. Screws524 engaged in said openings secure the stile support arm 496 in lockedimmovable relation to the filler strip 402a and the panels of thepartition unit. The forward end of closure plate 470 is provided with acountersunk opening 526. A screw 528 extending through said opening andinto threaded opening 520 securely holds the front end of the closureplate 470 in position. It is apparent that the above described modifiedconstruction for attaching a stile may utilize Wood edging filler stripssuch as 426, 428 of FIG. 16, recessed on their inner sides at the frontto accommodate the stile support arm 496, in lieu of the metal closureplates 470.

Due to the rigidity of the Formica coated panels, their sound deadeningproperties and the internal lateral bracmg therein the partition unitsneed not include therein the corrugated board or other filler ascustomarily employed in metal panel construction. However, such fillersmay be placed within the hollow interior of the panels as hereindescribed, if the use of such be deemed desirable.

While several embodiments of the invention have been specifically shownand described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications in the details of construction,arrangement of parts and general application of the invention may bemade with-out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly comprising:

(a) a pair of separate cantilever bracket arm structures projectingoutwardly from a wall surface and having free terminal ends,

(b) a partition comprising a pair of opposed panels,

() means on the inner side of each panel for mounting the same on saidbracket arm structures,

((1) means interiorly of said partition securing said mounting means tosaid bracket arm structures,

(e) lateral bracing means between said panels,

(f) adjustable means within said partition connecting said partition tosaid bracket arm structures and located remote from said wall surfacewhereby to move said partition into pressure engagement with said wallsurface prior to the final securing of the panel mounting means to saidbracket arm structures, and

(g) separate closure means at each of the exposed edges of saidpartition secured in place and concealing said securing and mountingmeans.

2. A cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly comprising:

(a) a cantilever bracket structure including at least one bracket armhaving a free terminal end projecting outwardly from a wall surface,

(b) a partition comprising a pair of opposed panels,

(c) support bracket means secured to the inner side of said panels andspaced inwardly from the top and bottom edges thereof mounting saidpanels on said bracket arm,

(d) means interiorly of said partition securing said support bracketmeans to said bracket arm,

(e) closure means positioned in the space between the inner sides of thetop and bottom edge portions of said panels for concealing said supportbracket securing means,

(f) means fastening said closure means in place,

(g) adjustable means within said partition connecting said partition tosaid bracket arm and located remote from said wall surface whereby tomove said partition into pressure engagement with said wall surfaceprior to the final securing of the support bracket means to said bracketarm, and

(h) a stile mounted on the forward end of said partition.

3. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 2,including (a) stile support means on said stile fixedly mounted on thefree terminal end of said bracket arm, and

(b) means securing said stile in fixed abutting engagement with theforward edges of said panels.

4. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 3,including (a) a fixed means between said panels at the forward portionthereof, and

(b) the means securing said stile including additional connecting meanssecuring at least the vertical center portion of the stile to said fixedmeans.

5. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 2,wherein (a) said support bracket means extends forwardly beyond the freeterminal end of said bracket arm.

(b) stile support means on said stile fixedly mounted on said supportbracket means, and

(c) means securing said stile in fixed abutting engagement with theforward edges of said panels.

6. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 5,including (a) a fixed means between said panels at the forward portionthereof, and

(b) the means securing said stile including additional connecting meanssecuring at least the vertical center portion of the stile to said fixedmeans.

7. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 1,wherein (a) said pair of opposed panels are parallel.

8. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim 1,wherein (a) said opposed panels are each inclined relative to thevertical longitudinal medial plane of said partition and the horizontaldistance between said panels narrowing from the rear of said partitionto the front thereof.

9. A cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly comprising:

(a) upper and lower cantilever bracket arms disposed in the samevertical plane and projecting outwardly from a wall surface,

(b) the upper bracket arm having an upper horizontal edge and the lowerbracket arm having a lower horizontal edge,

(e) a partition comprising a pair of opposed first and second panels,

(d) support bracket means secured to the inner side of the first paneladjacent the top and bottom horizontal edges thereof and respectivelyseated on the horizontal edges of said upper and lower bracket arms toindividually mount said first panel thereon,

(e) support bracket means secured to the inner side of the second paneladjacent the top and bottom horizontal edges thereof and respectivelysupported on the horizontal edges of said upper and lower bracket armsto individually mount said second panel thereon,

(f) means securing said support bracket means to said upper and lowerbracket arms,

(g) lateral bracing means interconnecting said first and second panels,

(h) a vertical bracket member secured to the inner side of the firstpanel at the top and bottom thereof and adjacent the forward edge ofsaid first panel and in opposed relation to the end of a correspondingbracket arm.

(i) 'rneans securing each vertical bracket member to its associatedcorresponding bracket arm, and

(j) finish closure means at the exposed top, bottom and forward edges ofsaid partition secured in place and concealing said securing means.

10. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim9, wherein (a) the finish closure means for the forward edge of saidpartition constitutes a stile,

(b) a stile support arm adjacent the top and bottom of said stileprojecting rearwardly from the rear side thereof,

(0) each stile support arm overlying the front horizontal edge portionof a corresponding bracket arm and secured thereto, and

(d) the finish closure means for the top and bottom edges of saidpartition further concealing said stile support arms.

11. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim10, including (a) additional interconnecting means securing at least thevertical center portion of the stile to said partition and entirelyconcealed therein.

12. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim9, wherein (a) the rear edges of said panels are disposed in abuttingengagement with said wall surface, and

(b) sealing means carried by the rear edges of said panels and engagingsaid wall surface whereby to provide a positive closure against theentry of water or other foreign matter into the interior of saidpartition..

13. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim9, wherein p (a) each vertical bracket member seats on the forward edgeof said second panel, and

(b) means securing each said vertical bracket member to the forward edgeof said second panel.

14. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim9, wherein (a) said upper and lower bracket arms are of uniform widthwhereby in the mounting of said first and second panels thereon, theinner sides of said panels will be substantially in engagement with thevertical sides of said bracket arms.

15. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim9, wherein (a) the seating and supporting portions of the supportbracket means are notched whereby to interfit one within the other inthe same horizontal plane. l 16. The cantilever partition and bracketsupport assembly of claim 9, wherein (a) said lateral bracing meanscomprises a plural-part structure carried in part by each of the opposedinner sides of said panels and including mating means establishing arigid connection between said inner sides when the mounting of saidsecond panel on said bracket arms is effected.

17. In combination with a pair of vertically superposed bracket armsprojecting outwardly from a wall surface, a cantilever partitioncomprising:

(a) a first panel including support means initially individually mountedon said bracket arms at one side thereof and secured thereto,

(b) a second panel including support means individually mounted on saidbracket arms at the other side thereof and secured thereto,

() a plural-part lateral bracing means carried in part by the opposedinner sides of said panels and including mating means establishing arigid connection between said inner sides when the mounting of saidsecond panel on said bracket arms is effected, and

(d) closure means at each of the exposed open edges of said partition.

18. In combination with a pair of vertically superposed bracket armsprojecting outwardly from awall surface, a cantilever partitioncomprising:

(a) a first panel including support means initially individually mountedon said bracket arms at one side thereof and secured thereto,

(b) a second panel including support means individually mounted on saidbracket arms at the other side thereof and secured thereto,

(c) a lateral first bracing element secured to the inner side of saidfirst panel,

(d) a lateral second bracing element secured to the inner side of saidsecond panel,

(e) means forming a part of each bracing element providing forinterlocking connection of said first and second bracing elements whenthe mounting of said second panel on said bracket arms is effected, and

(f) closure means at each of the exposed open edges of said partition.

19. A cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly comprising:

(a) upper and lower cantilever bracket arms in vertical alignment andprojecting outwardly from a wall surface,

(b) the upper bracket arm having an upper horizontal supporting surfaceand the lower bracket arm having a lower horizontal supporting surface,

(c) a unit handled partition comprising a pair of op posed panels,

(d) a horizontal support bracket secured to the inner sides of saidpanels adjacent the top and bottom edges thereof to maintain said panelsin fixed opposed relation,

(e) lateral bracing means interconnecting said panels,

(f) said support brackets each seating respectively on the upper andlower horizontal supporting surfaces of said bracket arms,

(g) means securing said support brackets to said upper .and lowerbracket arms,

(h) a vertical bracket member at the top and bottom of said panels,between the same, adjacent the forward edges thereof and secured to saidpanels,

(i) means securing each vertical bracket member respectively to theupper and lower bracket arms, and

(j) finish closure means at the exposed top, bottom and forward edges ofsaid partition unit secured in place and concealing said securing means.

20. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim19, wherein (a) said pair of opposed panels are parallel.

21. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim19, wherein (a) the finish closure means for the forward edge of saidpartition unit constitutes a stile,

(b) support means carried by said stile extending interiorly of saidpartition unit,

(c) means securing said stile support means to said partition unit, and

(d) the finish closure means for the top and bottom edges of saidpartition unit further concealing said stile support and securing means.

2a. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim21, including (a) additional interconnecting means securing at least thevertical center portion of the stile to said partition unit and entirelyconcealed therein.

23. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim19, wherein (a) said panels are each inclined relative to the verticallongitudinal medial plane of said partition unit with the horizontaldistance between said panels narrowing from the rear of said partitionunit to the front thereof.

24. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim23, including (a) a closure element disposed between said opposed panelsat the rear edge thereof and having an opening at the top and bottomthereof to accommodate respectively the upper and lower bracket arms.

' 25. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim19, including (a) a closure element disposed between said opposed panelsat the rear edge thereof and positioned to extend at least between saidupper and lower bracket arms.

26. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim19, including (a) guide means on each horizontal support bracket and invertically aligned opposed relation, each guide means receiving thereinan associated bracket arm portion including its horizontal supportingsurface whereby to center the partition unit on said bracket arms and topreclude transverse movement of said partition unit relative thereto.

27. A cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly comprising:

(a) upper and lower cantilever bracket arms in vertical alignment andprojecting outwardly from a wall surface,

(b) the upper arm having an upper horizontal supporting surface and thelower bracket arm having a lower horizontal supporting surface,

(c) a partition comprising a pair of opposed first and second panelseach inclined relative to the vertical longitudinal medial plane of thepartition with the horizontal distance between said panels narrowingfrom the rear of said partition to the front thereof,

(d) bracket support means on the inner side of each panel adjacent thetop and bottom edges thereof,

(e) a first lateral bracing means secured to the inner side of saidfirst panel,

(f) a second lateral bracing means secured to the inner side of saidsecond panel and in opposed relation to said first lateral bracingmeans,

(g) the upper and lower bracket support means on the first and secondpanels seating respectively on the upper and lower horizontal supportingsurfaces of said bracket arms whereby to mount said panels one bracketarm, there being one panel on each side thereof,

(d) means securing said support means to said bracket arm,

on each side of said bracket arms, (e) lateral bracing means independentof said bracket (h) means securing said bracket support means to saidarm rigidly interconnecting the inner sides of said bracket arms, panelsand located in part at the forward edge of (i) means forming a part ofeach lateral bracing means said partition, and

providing an interlocking connection therebetween (f) adjustable meanswithin said partition connecting when the first and second panels aresequentially said partition to said bracket arm and located remotemounted and secured to the bracket arms, and from said wall surfacewhereby to move said parti- (j) finish closure means at the exposed top,bottom tion into pressure engagement with said wall surface and forwardedges of the partition secured in place prior to the final securing ofthe support means to and concealing said securing means. said bracketarm, and 28. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support (g)separate closure means at each of the exposed edges assembly of claim27, including (a) closure means between said panels and at the rearedges thereof,

(b) said closure means and said panel rear edges having abuttingengagement with said wall surface.

29. The cantilever partition and bracket arm support assembly of claim28, including (a) means on said bracket arms for clamping said lastmentioned closure means to said wall surface.

(c) means securing said stile support means to a fixed part positionedbetween said panels, and

(d) the finish closure means for the top and bottom edges of saidpartition further concealing said stile of said partition defined bysaid spaced apart panels,

secured in place and concealing said support means,

securing means and adjustable connecting means. 33. The bracketstructure and cantilever partition of claim 32, wherein:

(a) each of said panels is individually mounted on said bracketstructure, and

('b) said lateral bracing means including separate coacting membersproviding for interlocking engagement 30. The cantilever partition andbracket arm support to eifect said rigid interconnection subsequent tothe assembly of claim 27, wherein mounting of said panels individuallyon said bracket (a) the finish closure means for the forward edge ofstructure, and

said partition constitutes a stile, (c) the closure means for theforward edge of said (b) support means carried by said stile extendingbepartition constitutes a stile that is rigid, of substan- -tween saidpanels, tial thickness, and having a finish coating secured to theexterior surfaces thereof. 34. The bracket structure and cantileverpartition of claim 32, wherein:

(a) the connection of said support means and said support and securingmeans. lateral bracing means with said panels provides a 31. Thecantilever partition and bracket arm support pre-assembled unit handledpartition for slidably assembly of claim 19, wherein mounting the sameon said bracket structure,

(a) the finish closure means for the top and bottom (b) said adjustableconnecting means comprising horiexposed edges of the partition comprisesan elonzontal longitudinal fastener elements connecting said gatedclosure plate, partition to said bracket structure for clamping the ('b)a bead formation along each longitudinal edge of rear edge of saidpartition against said wall surface,

said closure plate for seating engagement on said and support bracketsand the inner sides of said panels, (c) the finish closure means for theforward edge of and said partition constitutes a stile that is rigid, ofsub- (c) means securing each said closure plate to an adsta-ntialthickness, and having a coating secured to jacent bracket arm. theexterior surfaces thereof.

32. In combination with a cantilever bracket structure including atleast one bracket arm having a free terminal References Cited by theExaminer end projecting outwardly from a wall surface, a cantileverpartition comprising: UNITED STATES PATENTS (a) a pair of opposedpanels, 1,311,229 7/1919 H gh 9 (b) each panel being rigid, ofsubstantial thickness, and 2,865,476 12/1953 501100161 having a finishcoating secured to the exterior surface thereof, FOREIGN PATENTS (c)support means rigidly secured to the inner side of 5 620,181 5/1961Italy.

each :panel, positioned inwardly from at least the top edge thereof, andmounting said panels on said REINALDQ MACHADO, Primary Examiner-

1. A CANTILEVER PARTITION AND BRACKET ARM SUPPORT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING:(A) A PAIR OR SEPARATE CANTILEVER BRACKET ARM STRUCTURES PROJECTINGOUTWARDLY FROM A WALL SURFACE AND HAVING FREE TERMINAL ENDS, (B) APARTITION COMPRISING A PAIR OF OPPOSED PANELS, (C) MEANS ON THE INNERSIDE OF EACH PANEL FOR MOUNTING THE SAME ON SAID BRACKET ARM STRUCTURES,(D) MEANS INTERIORLY OF SAID PARTITION SECURING SAID MOUNTING MEANS TOSAID BRACKET ARM STRUCTURES, (E) LATERAL BRACING MEANS BETWEEN SAIDPANELS, (F) ADJUSTABLE MEANS WITHIN SAID PARTITION CONNECTING SAIDPARTITION TO SAID BRACKET ARM STRUCTURES AND LOCATED REMOTE FROM SAIDWALL SURFACE WHEREBY TO